Satyamev Jayate featured members of the public tackling topics like sex selection and poverty.

He told attendees: "I have no idea that how the work that we started back home would interest somehow outside India.

"Me and my team are trying to do this show with love, because we feel that we are part of the problem and we are also part of the solution. And we need to find that. We need to question ourselves and look inside as opposed to pointing outside.

"My main aim is to really work in India and to sensitize people about issues and see that we can find solutions to our own issues back home. I am looking to talking to Indians."

Other recipients of awards included Academy Award winner Kathryn Bigelow and the International Center for Non-Violent Conflict.

Last year, Khan admitted that researching and hosting the show put him back in touch with "reality" in his country.

The Dhoom star met with billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates in June to discuss health and other social concerns in India.